Having Problems Starting The Car
 

Hi All,

Just recently bought a lease returned 05 X3 and I have to say I LOVE IT.

I've been using this message board for the past week or so and it's been a great place to answer all of my questions.

I'm in need of some help, I've been noticing the car has a hard time starting up. It only seems to happen every so often, but has been getting worse.

When I try to start the car, I can turn the key to position 3 ( Crank The Starter ) but the car never cranks over. I either turn the off and take it out to try again and sometimes it takes the third or fourth try to start the car.

Sometimes when I turn it to position 3 and it doesn't crank over, I back it off a bit and then back it forward ( Sometimes more then one back off ) it starts up.

I've checked all the battery cables and connections from the battery all the main box in the engine bay.

I'm thinking it's the ignition switch. My family has a 98 civic that had this same issue but some times the car would completely shut off, The driver had over 15+ keys on his key chain which caused the switch to go bad, I replaced it with a new ignition switch ( $15 ).

Has any one ever had this problem on their X3? Do you think it's my ignition switch that is the cause of the problem?

i dont have a x3 but i think you have a bad nuetral safety switch that located under the car and on the right side of the TRANNY.(try to put it in N= neutral and start it if it does not start, then problem will it safety switch)
BTW your is an 05 you may still under warranty.

When you turn the key to position 3 (to crank), does the engine attempt to start/sputter, or does it not crank at all?

It's really wierd and I don't know if this is the same thing that occurs to you. Years ago, our X3 would occasionally attempt to start but fail. It wasn't something that I could readily duplicate and it occured perhaps once every few weeks. Once, it even threw a DSC/AT/Brake warning light. I chalked it up to bad gas perhaps.

As the X3 ages, it's gotten more reliable in terms of starts. It's totally counterintuitive, because now it's left outside in the cold and the elements while I attend college. But even on -5C mornings, it would always crank up, the first time, everytime. There also used to be an annoying "diesel clatter" upon cold starts, but that too has disappeared.

I'd say bring it into the dealer if you can, especially if it gets worse.

Have you tried using the other key to start the car? The chip or battery in your key could be going bad...

I've tried both keys and the car still does the same thing.

When attempting to crank the car, the engine doesn't make any noise. Sort of like the ignition switch is not fully engaged to position 3 to crank the starter.

The car is just past 50K miles so it's already out of warranty.

My thoughts are either:
Ignition Switch = $50+core
Battery = $200
Starter Solenoid = I might have to buy the whole starter

Might be the Neutral Switch???? I have to test that out and see how that goes.

My 06' X3 has done this twice in 45K miles. I didn't think it was a big deal, but if it happens again it will go to the stealer.

If you "just bought it" your dealer MIGHT/should help you with this problem. Doesn't cost anything to ask.

If not then you might want to find a GOOD/Reputable BMW/German repair shop.

Your problem could be in

The ignition switch
Starter/Solenoid
Wiring and Connections, could be as simple as a corroded connection at the starter.

Here's a link
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...94&hg=12&fg=05

ab

So I found an old buddy of mine that happens to work at BMW as a mechanic.

His thoughts are the key barrel. He mentioned the key chip sensor might not be working correctly. It might be having a hard time or just slow in reading and verifying the chip from the key.

He's going to hook the car up to the diagnostic computer as we attempt to crank the car on position 3 and see what the computer reads.

I'll keep you guys posted on our findings.

Sorry meant to say.

He mentioned the key barrel chip reader might not be working correctly.

Any updates on your issue? My 04 X3 has the same problem.